Today’s Lectio Divina: Excerpts from Psalm 9. (MsgB)

I’m thanking You, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on Your wonders.
I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing Your song, High God.

Once You’ve pulled me back from the gates of death, I’ll write the book on Hallelujahs;              

On the corner of Main and First, I’ll hold a street meeting;
I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air with salvation songs.

Over the years, one of my favorite musicals from Broadway and the movies has been Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man”. It was that musical, first performed on stage in December of 1957 and then released as a big-hit movie blockbuster in 1962 that helped form my deep love and appreciation of music. As a matter of fact, I decided to study music and become a band director so many years ago largely because of the themes found in Willson’s tender-hearted story of a swindling band instrument salesman who found true love and a new beginning in life when he stepped into River City, Iowa in 1912.

If you know the musical well, you’ll remember the closing scene when Harold Hill and Marian Paroo lead the town folks of River City in one of the biggest and brightest parade celebrations ever brought to the silver screen.

Seventy-six trombones led the big parade,
With a hundred and ten cornets close at hand.
They were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos,
The cream of ev’ry famous band.

Seventy-six trombones caught the morning sun,
With a hundred and ten cornets right behind.
There were more than a thousand reeds springing up like weeds,
There were horns of ev’ry shape and kind.

There were copper bottom tympani in horse platoons,
Thundering, thundering, all along the way.
Double bell euphoniums and big bassoons,
Each bassoon having his big fat say.
There were fifty mounted cannon in the battery,
Thundering, thundering, louder than before.
Clarinets of ev’ry size and trumpeters who’d improvise,
A full octave higher than the score.

Call me crazy, but this is the scene that comes to mind when I read King David in Psalm 9, telling us that he’s whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy. Here’s the King of Israel proclaiming that he’s ready to hold a street meeting on the corner of Main and First where he’ll be proud to be the song leader, filling the air with salvation songs!

Tum-da-dum!

Attention, folks! Time for one helluva parade, now that we’ve all been rescued from hell!

Put away those solemn faces we save for Sunday morning church services. Cast off the frowns and scowls. Time for a Jesus parade. Time for a celebration down the streets of town. Time to march for Jesus, lifting our voices in song to our King of Kings!

Jesus is not only alive but He’s conquered death and is coming back soon! As an old tuba player, I particularly enjoy Meredith Willson’s last verse of 76 Trombones. So, give me the liberty to close today’s blog with his lyrics.

Seventy-six trombones hit the counter point,
While a hundred and ten cornets played the air.
Then I modestly took my place as the one and only bass,
And I oompahed up and down the square.

See you next time at the corner of Main and First! And be sure to bring your piccolo!

My prayer: Jesus, life in You is a new beginning. A whole new reason to sing, to celebrate, and to march through life with our heads held high. Spirit, help me throw off the darkness and despair, replacing frowns with the joy of my salvation. For Your name’s sake. Amen.

My questions to ponder: Have I allowed darkness and hopelessness to consume me? Has the joy of my salvation been lost midst the troubles of this world? What might it look like for me to step out of my problems today a write a book on God’s wonders or author a big volume of hallelujahs to Jesus?

So what is God speaking to you today as you ponder the Psalms?

Over a 50-week period, you and I will take a deeper look at The Psalms: God’s Songbook of Prayers. In order to keep all the blog sessions organized, we suggest you bookmark our Contemplating the Psalms home page for ease of use. Keep in mind that one of the best ways to explore the on-going applications of this blog series is to walk alongside a biblically-based, Christ-centered spiritual director who is familiar with how to make material like this part of your overall spiritual formation in God. Many of our directors in our Sustainable Faith-Heartland network are available to companion you in your journey with Jesus. Click here for more info.

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